# CVE-2026-52828: Kimai missing authorization check in ExportController export templates

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-52828-kimai-missing-authorization-check-in-exportcontroller-export  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-15. Updated: 2026-07-14  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-52828 · Severity: medium · CVSS 4 · Published 2026-09-15

Kimai is an open-source time-tracking application. A security flaw was found where users with 'Teamlead' privileges can create or modify global export templates, a task normally restricted to administrators. This allows unauthorized users to change how data is formatted and presented for all users in the system, potentially affecting data integrity and reporting.

Technologies: [Kimai](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/kimai), [kimai/kimai (Packagist)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/kimai-kimai). Vendors: [Kimai](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/kimai), [Packagist](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/packagist).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-52828 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-52828 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-52828?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 4, published 15 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Kimai <= 2.57.0; kimai/kimai (Packagist) <= 2.57.0, ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,fixed=2.58.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-52828?** Yes. kimai/kimai (Packagist): upgrade to 2.58.0 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-52828 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a web application.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-52828?** Check whether you run Kimai or kimai/kimai (Packagist) at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- kimai/kimai (Packagist): upgrade to 2.58.0 or later

  ```sh
  composer require kimai/kimai:^2.58.0
  ```


## Technical details

A missing authorization check (CWE-862) exists in the Kimai ExportController. While the API and UI correctly enforce the 'create_export_template' permission (restricted to ROLE_ADMIN), the web controller routes for 'createExportTemplate' and 'editExportTemplate' only check for the broader 'create_export' permission, which is granted to ROLE_TEAMLEAD by default. Because ExportTemplate entities are global and lack per-user scoping, a TEAMLEAD can modify templates used by all users, including administrators. This vulnerability is addressed in version 2.58.0 by adding the appropriate #[IsGranted('create_export_template')] annotations.

## Affected products

- Kimai Kimai <= 2.57.0

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-52828
- GHSA-rw46-qg69-vg6h

## Timeline

- 2026-06-11: disclosed: Advisory published to GitHub by reporter
- 2026-07-14: advisory: Published to GitHub Advisory Database

## References

- [https://api.github.com/users/AzureADTrent](https://api.github.com/users/AzureADTrent)
- [https://github.com/AzureADTrent](https://github.com/AzureADTrent)
- [https://api.github.com/users/AzureADTrent/gists%7B/gist_id%7D](https://api.github.com/users/AzureADTrent/gists%7B/gist_id%7D)
- [https://api.github.com/users/AzureADTrent/repos](https://api.github.com/users/AzureADTrent/repos)
- [https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/8278208?v=4](https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/8278208?v=4)
- [https://api.github.com/users/AzureADTrent/events%7B/privacy%7D](https://api.github.com/users/AzureADTrent/events%7B/privacy%7D)

## Related threats

- [Kimai 2FA bypass in REST API via session cookie replay](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-52827-kimai-2fa-bypass-in-rest-api-via-session-cookie-replay)
- [Kimai improper authorization in rate edit endpoints](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-52826-kimai-improper-authorization-in-rate-edit-endpoints)
- [Kimai improper authorization in Team assignment APIs](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-52825-kimai-improper-authorization-in-team-assignment-apis)
- [Kimai insecure default APP_SECRET in Docker image](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-52824-kimai-insecure-default-app-secret-in-docker-image)
- [Kimai CSRF in Timesheet Stop and Restart API endpoints](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-52823-kimai-csrf-in-timesheet-stop-and-restart-api-endpoints)